Chestnut gobbles down 50 meatballs to win contest

[November 10, 2009]  LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Joey Chestnut maintained his dominance in the sport of competitive eating -- and expanded his palate -- by winning the first-ever Martorano's Masters Meatball Eating Championship in Las Vegas. Chestnut on Sunday gobbled 50 meatballs in 10 minutes at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino. The 6.25 pounds was a new world record and earned him the first-place prize of $1,500.

Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti finished in second place, just one meatball behind Chestnut.

Sonya Thomas, weighing in at 105 pounds, ate 42 meatballs to finish third.

The event was a Major League Eating-sanctioned competition.

Chestnut's resume also includes hot dog, pizza and chicken wing contests.

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THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

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LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Joey Chestnut maintained his dominance in the sport of competitive eating -- and expanded his palate -- by winning the first-ever Martorano's Masters Meatball Eating Championship in Las Vegas.

Chestnut on Sunday gobbled 50 meatballs in 10 minutes at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino.

The 6.25 pounds was a new world record and earned him the first-place prize of $1,500.

Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti finished in second place, just one meatball behind Chestnut.

Sonya Thomas, weighing in at 105 pounds, ate 42 meatballs to finish third.

The event was a Major League Eating-sanctioned competition.

Chestnut's resume also includes hot dog, pizza and chicken wing contests.

[Associated Press]

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